DFA announces new Farm Services Division

In an effort to bring greater value to its members, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) announces the formation of a new Farm Services Division. The formalization of the Farm Services Division consolidates the oversight of several member services, including risk management, health insurance, financial services and bulk buying programs.

Greg Wickham will serve as president of the division. Wickham currently serves as chief executive officer of DFA-member cooperative Dairylea and oversees Dairylea’s extensive agricultural services businesses, including several that are currently in partnership with DFA.

“Under Greg’s leadership of the Farm Services Division, we expect further collaborations between Dairylea and DFA in the farm services area that will benefit members of both cooperatives,” says Rick Smith, president and chief executive officer of DFA.

Wickham will take on this responsibility in addition to his current role as chief executive officer of Dairylea and chief operating officer of DFA’s Northeast Area.

With the ever increasing expenses producers face, it is imperative that we look for ways to help them increase profits and decrease cost, Wickham says.

Currently, the cooperative offers risk management services, which allow producers to participate in a number of programs designed to hedge against price volatility risk. DFA also partners with Agri-Services to offer affordable health, dental/vision and life insurance. Agri-Max Financial Services, of which DFA is half owner, allows members to access complete dairy loan packages for cattle, equipment and operating expenses. Members also may buy farm supplies in bulk through DFA.